Illinois notebook: Randle likely to play Wednesday despite injury

Tuesday

If this was a case of getting hit on the funny bone, it's no laughing matter for Illinois senior forward Brian Randle.

If this was a case of getting hit on the funny bone, it's no laughing matter for Illinois senior forward Brian Randle.

After undergoing four surgeries in his first four basketball seasons, Randle enjoyed a strong start to his season by posting a career-high 17 points in the Maui Invitational opener against Arizona State and finishing with 16 the following night against Duke.

But when he made contact with an Oklahoma State player early in the victory Wednesday, Randle suffered what coach Bruce Weber called a bruised nerve. Randle didn't practice with the Illini on Saturday or Sunday before finally returning to the practice court with his teammates Monday.

Randle lost feeling in his left foot and lower leg, then slowly regained feeling over the weekend.

The injury is similar to bumping your elbow, or what's often called the funny bone, Weber said. First, there's a tingling sensation, followed by some numbness. Randle went through a light shooting practice Saturday and an individual workout Sunday designed to regain his confidence in the leg.

Randle's outlook jumped after the workout Monday, and he's considered probable when the Illini (4-1) play at Maryland (4-2) in a Big Ten-ACC Challenge on Wednesday (6:30 p.m., ESPN2).

"I think he's a little cautious,'' Weber said. "He's had so many injuries. He didn't have any feeling in his foot and leg. Anyone would be a little tentative with it. Doctors are assuring him that he can't do any more damage to it.

"It's a matter of slowly but surely getting feeling and strength back in his leg and foot.''

Randle declined comment at Monday's practice.

"It scared him,'' Weber said earlier in the day. "He couldn't feel his foot. He had some tingling up into his calf. I hope he's fine by today and tomorrow and full go on Wednesday.''

Moving up, down

There were some ups and downs in the Illini's playing rotation during the island hopping, but the big winner was junior Calvin Brock, who started the final Maui game against Oklahoma State and generally impressed the coaching staff.

Brock had 12 points and eight rebounds in the start, but Weber was unsure if Brock would retain the starting spot previously held by junior Trent Meacham.

"Trent played well coming off the bench,'' Weber said. "I'm not sure we're the best with Calvin in the two guard. I'm not sure we have enough passers and skilled people with him Rodney (Alexander), Brian and Shaun (Pruitt).

"It puts Chester (Frazier) in a bind. He has to do so much especially against the press. We just have to feel it out and see what happens in the next two days.''

Weber apparently will go with the top eight, then mix the last one or two players depending on matchups and who has the hot hand.

Football

The Illini held a team meeting Monday and will undergo running and lifting sessions before the first practicing Friday and Saturday in preparation for the program's first bowl game in six seasons.

The Illini have been mentioned as possibilities in the Rose, Fiesta and Sugar bowls. If they don't grab a BCS slot, the Illini will head to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando on New Year's Day.

Coach Ron Zook and his staff will spend part of the week on the recruiting trail. The team will also meet Sunday for the bowl announcement.

Women’s basketball

Illinois sophomore center Jenna Smith earned Big Ten player of the week for the second time in three weeks after averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds in victories over South Carolina and Providence. Smith led the Illini to the Florida International Thanksgiving Classic.

Smith also shot 64 percent from the field and 93 percent from the free-throw line. She already has five double-doubles in the first six games. Smith leads the Big Ten in rebounding (11.5 per game) while ranking second in the conference in scoring (21.3), field-goal percentage (64.9) and minutes played (36.7).

Illinois (5-1) plays at North Carolina State on Thursday in the ACC-Big Ten Women's Basketball Challenge in the first year for the series.

In other news

Illinois linebacker J Leman is a finalist and will attend the ceremony for the Lott Trophy on Dec. 9. LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis and Virginia defensive end Chris Long are the other finalists. The Lott Trophy honors a defensive player who is judged for his performance on and off the field. The trophy is billed as the only award based on personal character.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com and www.pjstar.com.